werknaarwerk

Werknaarwerk is a Dutch policy concept that refers to a set of measures designed to help people who receive social benefits or are unemployed move into regular paid work. The approach emphasizes the creation of temporary or transitional employment opportunities combined with coaching and training to improve job readiness and labor market attachment.

The program operates through partnerships among municipalities, employers, and national agencies such as the UWV. Employers may receive wage subsidies or other incentives to hire participants in subsidized positions, while participants gain on-the-job experience and learn skills relevant to sustainable employment. In some cases, participants are placed in transitional roles that function as stepping stones toward permanent jobs within the same organization or in the broader labor market. The scheme is often integrated with broader reintegration and employment services under the Participatiewet framework, and can include job matching, training, and personalized guidance.

Effectiveness varies by program and context. Proponents argue that werknaarwerk reduces time on benefits, lowers entry barriers for hard-to-place jobseekers, and enables employers to evaluate long-term suitability. Critiques focus on potential crowding-out of regular positions, dependence on subsidies, and administrative complexity. Critics also caution that without alignment with broader skills development and wage structures, transitions may be short-lived.

See also: Participatiewet, UWV, wage subsidies, reintegration, social policy Netherlands.